The next level: what the FANTM 400 adds
Technology insight. A modular carrier platform for surveying, long range inspection and several sensors in a single flight.
Alongside our FANTM 4TD, which handles the majority of our security and inspection flights, we fly the FANTM 400 for more demanding and larger missions. It is the current flagship among enterprise aircraft. Where the 4TD is built for compactness and everyday versatility, the FANTM 400 brings considerably more range, payload capacity and sensing to projects that go beyond a single classic flight.
This article explains what sits inside the FANTM 400 and which additional services it makes possible.
The technology at a glance
The FANTM 400 is not a single camera drone but a modular carrier platform. Depending on the assignment it is fitted with different interchangeable high performance sensors, known as payloads.
| Sensor / feature | Capability | What it is used for |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 kg payload, up to 7 payloads at once | Several sensors mounted simultaneously | Combined missions, for example surveying and thermal in one flight |
| Zenmuse L2 (LiDAR and RGB) | Coloured 3D point clouds at survey grade | Precise terrain models, construction planning, volume calculation |
| Zenmuse P1 (45 MP full frame) | Photogrammetry at survey grade | High precision orthophotos and 3D reconstruction |
| Zenmuse H30 series (zoom and thermal) | Extreme zoom reach combined with thermal imaging | Inspection from a distance, temperature readings on installations |
| Rotating LiDAR and mmWave radar | Obstacle sensing down to power line level, also in wind and at night | Safe flight in complex terrain, near cables and structures |
| Up to 59 minutes of flight time | Substantially longer missions than compact models | Large estates, extended properties, long corridors |
| IP55 weather protection, minus 20 to 50 degrees Celsius | Year round operation in wind, rain and heat | Reliable service independent of the weather |
| O4 transmission up to 40 km, air relay function | Extremely stable link even over long distances | Assignments across large or visually obstructed areas |
| Terrain follow, AR projection, ship launch and landing | Automated flight along terrain and façade contours | Slopes, façades, coastal and waterside locations |
| Special payload: cleaning lance with high pressure hose | Contact free high pressure cleaning from the air | Façade, roof and solar array cleaning without scaffolding |
| Zenmuse H30T (night vision, thermal, speaker and spotlight as additional payload) | Hotspot detection, night vision, aerial situational overview | Support during wildfires and structural fires as well as rescue operations |
Where the FANTM 4TD is our daily watch, the FANTM 400 is the tool for larger, data intensive or technically demanding projects, from laser accurate survey of an entire estate to the inspection of hard to reach façades and hillsides.
What this means for you
Through the combination of high payload capacity, long endurance and interchangeable precision sensors, the FANTM 400 extends our offering by:
- Precision surveying and 3D documentation: coloured LiDAR point clouds and survey grade photogrammetry for construction planning, landscape architecture and property documentation, at a level of detail no standard camera can reach.
- Large area and long range inspection: with almost an hour of flight time and a stable link out to 40 km, extended estates, several buildings or complex terrain can be captured in a single flight.
- Façade and hillside inspection: automated routes along façades, embankments or irregular terrain, ideal for structures that do not stand on level ground.
- Combined missions: because several sensors can be mounted at once, thermography and surveying can be combined in one flight instead of planning two separate assignments.
- Reliability in difficult conditions: combined LiDAR and radar obstacle sensing allows safe flight in wind, close to cables or in dense, visually obstructed terrain.
- Building and façade cleaning: fitted with a dedicated cleaning lance and high pressure hose, the FANTM 400 cleans façades, roofs and photovoltaic arrays without contact, with no scaffolding or lifting platform. That noticeably reduces cost, lead time and safety risk on work at height, particularly in hard to reach areas of large estates.
- Support during fire and emergency response: equipped with a thermal camera and night vision, the FANTM 400 gives emergency services a rapid aerial picture during wildfires or structural fires. It identifies hotspots and temperature development, assists with searching for people in smoke or darkness, and delivers live imagery to decision makers. Important: the aircraft handles reconnaissance and situational assessment, the firefighting itself remains the task of the fire service on site.
Planning a larger project, for example an initial survey, a comprehensive façade inspection or several services in one appointment? Speak to us and we will match the right equipment to your brief.
Asked often
Whenever a project calls for particularly large areas, survey grade data or several sensors at once, for instance the initial survey of a new estate or comprehensive construction documentation.
In principle yes, but for everyday perimeter surveillance our more compact FANTM 4TD is usually the more efficient choice. The 400 comes into play on larger or project based assignments.
With LiDAR and photogrammetry sensors such as the Zenmuse L2 and P1 we produce survey grade 3D models and orthophotos, considerably more precise than classic camera systems.
Yes. With the matching cleaning payload, a lance plus high pressure hose connected on the ground to water and detergent supply, the FANTM 400 cleans façades, roofs and solar arrays without contact from the air. In many cases that replaces scaffolding, a lifting platform or rope access technicians.
No. The FANTM 400 supports emergency services during fires with thermal and night vision for reconnaissance, searching for people and hotspot detection. Firefighting itself remains with the fire service on site. We see our role clearly as a reconnaissance and support tool, not as a replacement for emergency responders.